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Aleksandra's Note: He is one of very last of them still living. I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Curtis "Bud" Diles in Chicago, in May of 1994, when he came to participate in the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Halyard Mission Rescue Operation being celebrated that year as part of the D-Day Anniversary ceremonies being held throughout the United States. We became instant friends and have stayed in touch ever since. At 84, he continues to share his memories and gratitude for what the Serbs did for the Americans behind enemy lines in Yugoslavia in 1944....

<p>Thank you for publishing the March 23 news obituary "Art Jibilian: Part of WWII Team That Rescued Airmen in Nazi-Occupied Yugoslavia" detailing the efforts of Art "Jibby" Jibilian and others to save American and other Allied pilots in Nazi-occupied Serbia during World War II.</p>

<p>ART “Jibby” Jibilian was a hero whose World War II exploits were buried in the mark of global politics. In recent years, details have emerged of the daring, behind-enemy-lines rescue of hundreds of downed Allied airmen in which he played a prominent role. These details make clear that Mr. Jibilian, who died this month at 86, was indeed one of the greatest of the Greatest Generation.</p>

Arthur Jibilian WTOL Toledo Aleksandra's Note: I had the great fortune, ironically due to unfortunate circumstances, of becoming acquainted with Debi Jibilian, Arthur's only daughter, in July of 2008. Early one morning, I received a voice mail message from her, where she identified who she was then proceeded to tell me that I needed to call her as soon as possible. It was one of those voice mails where you instinctively know it's not going to be "good news". I called as soon as I heard the message, and sure enough, it was bad news. Her Daddy had just been...

Arthur Jibilian January 1945 Arthur Jibilian June 2009 Today, Saturday March 27th, 2010, as the Jibilian family holds their "Celebration of Life" for Arthur "Jibby" Jibilian, I wanted to share with you some of the sentiments expressed by those that knew him over the years on hearing of his passing on March 21st, 2010 at the age of 86. Arthur Jibilian was not only respected and admired, he was loved, by people the world over, some who knew him personally and others who did not, but who knew of him and all that he did on behalf of Truth and...

Arthur "Jibby" Jibilian in 2009 FREMONT -- A local war hero and lone surviving member of 1944's Operation Halyard has died. Art Jibilian, 86, has been battling leukemia since July 2008. He died Sunday afternoon. Jibilian, a radio operator, was nominated for the military's highest honor for his actions during five months in 1944, helping to rescue hundreds of people from a German-occupied area in Serbia. Jibilian was one of three Office of Strategic Services agents who parachuted into central Serbia in August 1944 to rescue what he thought was 50 downed airmen. "We didn't find 50," Jibilian would later...

FREMONT — World War II hero Art “Jibby” Jibilian, who volunteered with two others to parachute into Nazi-occupied Serbia and orchestrate the air rescue of 513 downed U.S. pilots, died Sunday evening in his home. The 86-year-old had battled leukemia for two years. His daughter, Debi Jibilian, said yesterday her father was persistent in his goals, including fighting his cancer. He had a dose of chemotherapy just a week ago to try to beat back the disease, she said. “God love him. He continued to give speeches, he would get blood transfusions, and he would keep traveling,” she said. “What...

"The first meeting with the General was very brief. Two Canadians, one British airman, and myself were trying to get to the coast to find a way out of Yugoslavia. We were met by Chetnik soldiers and brought to Mihailovich's headquarters. We spoke only to the General's staff members for about half an hour. We told them we were on our way to the coast after having been in their country for over 50 days. We asked for help to get to the coast. It was then that General Mihailovich came into the room. After being briefed by his Staff,...

For "Vidovdan" a quarterly Serbian magazine published in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. December 2009 More often than not, a war story is about killing and bloodshed. This is not one of those stories of death, but rather one of life. In fact, it’s about an incredible and unprecedented rescue in the hills of Yugoslavia during WWII. This is a story which should have been told long ago, but for political reasons was suppressed until recent years. It’s now told in a book authored by Gregory Freeman, ‘The Forgotten 500’. It is very aptly titled, and involves the heroics and sacrifices of...

The following story about Arthur "Jibby" Jibilian, OSS Radioman of the Halyard Mission Rescue Operation, was published in the November/December 2009 issue of BEACON, "A Joint Publication of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and the Ohio Masonic Home." Congratulations on winning the "Rufus Putnam Award" Arthur - yet another in a long list of well deserved recognitions of your contributions! A. Rebic ***** "Arthur Jibilian was presented the Rufus Putnam Distinguished Service Award at the Grand Lodge Annual Communication in October [2009]. The award is the highest honor presented annually by the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Brother Jibilian, a member...

A Tribute to Major Richard L. Felman, of the United States Air Force, for the 10th Anniversary of his passing in honor of Veterans Day, 2009 Major Richard L. Felman U.S.A.F. May 29, 1921 - November 13, 1999 Major Felman, kneeling and saluting, as the wreath is laid at the eternal flame in Daley Plaza, Chicago, for the 50th Anniversary commemoration of "Operation Halyard", May 1994. Photo by A. Rebic. He never stopped. It became his mission in life. For 55 years, over half of the 20th Century, Major Richard L. Felman of the United States Air Force worked ceaselessly...

An Open Letter to Boris Tadic, President of the Republic of Serbia: October 18, 2009 Dear President Tadic, My name is Aleksandra, and I'm an American. I was born and raised in America and live in the United States. I am of Serbian descent, the daughter of parents who came to this country after World War Two and made America their permanent home. I wish I could have attended the reception given in your honor in Cleveland, Ohio on September 20th, 2009. Several friends did attend, and everyone was so pleased to have had the opportunity to spend time with...

NOTE: In an era when it's still "politically incorrect" to recognize the valuable contributions and legacy of the Serbs, most politicians still don't have the guts to support any cause or action that reflects "positively" on Serbia or the Serbians. Senator George Voinovich, Republican of Ohio, is one of the rare ones who is not concerned about "political correctness" in such matters, and for that he should be applauded. Ohio Senator George V. Voinovich has sent out congratulatory letters to the winners of "The Forgotten 500 Book Report Contest 2009" and Vasilije "Vaso" Katanic has graciously shared his letter on...

Arthur "Jibby" Jibilian, 86Forgotten WWII vets to get their due at the University of Toledo Homecoming event to fete alumni heroes The Toledo Blade By MEGHAN GILBERT-CUNNINGHAM BLADE STAFF WRITER OCTOBER 9, 2009 Arthur Jibilian, ever young, at 86 in 2009 Photo: The Toledo Blade Art Jibilian has been an American hero since 1944, but until recently he's lived his life in northwest Ohio without any recognition. The University of Toledo alumnus is now getting the kudos he deserves and is drawing attention to a misrepresented part of World War II history. Mr. Jibilian, 86, born and raised in Toledo...

Plaque in Pranjani dedicated to the Halyard Mission on September 12, 2004. The plaque next to it reflects the same inscription in the Serbian language. Photo courtesy of OSS Halyard Mission radioman Arthur "Jibby" Jibilian Serb soldiers in front of the Halyard Mission monument first dedicated in September of 2004,in Pranjani, Serbia August 15, 2009. Photo courtesy of Lt. Col. John Cappello Ohio National Guard troops that are in Serbia doing work on schools in South Serbia. They are working with Serb soldiers, some of which are also in the photo. The older folks are those who participated in assisting...

MAJOR RICHARD L. FELMAN OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE FEATURED SPEAKER AT THE 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE HALYARD MISSION RESCUE OPERATION CHICAGO, ILLINOIS May 31, 1994 Transcription of Major Felman's Speech by Aleksandra Rebic ***** “Distinguished guests… Very Distinguished guests… Reverend Clergy… Fellow airmen who were with me when we were shot downover Yugoslavia in 1944 and Bracho i Sestre (Brothers and Sisters)… Before I say a single word, I must first express my everlasting gratitude to the City of Chicago and the Department of Defense today, for honoring the Halyard Mission. Until now, one of the most...

In all the time I've known Arthur Jibilian personally, there's been one thing he's insisted on from Day One. He has been adamant that any and all attention that might come from his efforts to have 'Operation Halyard' recognized in the annals of history as the great and heroic WWII feat that it was to be focused on General Draza Mihailovich and his Serbian Chetniks. For Arthur Jibilian it was about Mihailovich, never about Jibilian. Well, Arthur, my friend, I'm afraid I must disrespect your wishes. You are, bit by bit, day by day, receiving the acclaim that you so...

OSHKOSH, Wis. -- Art Jibilian hoped his presence here at the largest private air show in the world would, in a small way, help right a terrible wrong that had been done so long ago. Mr. Jibilian, of Fremont Ohio, and surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering squadron of black fighter pilots, were honored here yesterday at AirVenture 2009 for their roles in Operation Halyard, the greatest rescue of downed American airmen in World War II.

“To brighten the future, we must illuminate the past.”The operating principle of ‘Lest we Forget’ As I hit the road on Thursday, June 18th, to attend “Day Two” of the ‘Forgotten 500 Reunion’ at the Park Inn in St. Joseph, Michigan, I thought of the day before and was convinced it couldn’t get any better. But I was wrong. It could and it did. This would be the day I would finally have the opportunity to meet Greg Freeman, author of ‘The Forgotten 500’, with whom I’d been corresponding for two years. I’d also have the opportunity to see my...

Book, quest spotlight Franklin Borough soldier who helped rescue servicemen from Yugoslavia A heroic military rescue operation in 1944 has inspired a local mission in 2009. John R. Wilson of Johnstown is working to get native son George Musulin honored for his part in one of the most daring rescues in U.S. military history. Musulin, who grew up in Franklin Borough, was one of the key players in the successful extraction of hundreds of American servicemen from Yugoslavia – right out from under the noses of Hitler and Nazi Germany. The courage and conviction showed by Musulin and others inspired...